Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

[optik45]

Well I purchased a 1990 Four Winns Freedom 170 last summer. Had a blast on it and had it winterized for Michigan Weather. Im not exactly sure what the service center did to winterize it but I do know he performed an antifreeze fill on it.

Its warm. I want to get out on the lake but have no idea how to dewinterize it, Ive searched all over the net for detailed diagrams with step by steps but nothing. Every webpage or info I found states to simply drain this and this and this etc but gives no diagrams or any information on where to find these components. Im pretty mechnically inclined but I dont know my way around a boat cooling system very well. Im pretty confident winterization/dewinterization is easy but I just need some initial guidance. Are there any sites that offer some detailed pictures/instructions on what exactly I should be draining/flushing and what tools I need to do this? Anything would be much appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

No one can give you that information either without knowing what engine and drive you have.
Might want to give the Summerization post and the How to post thread (Stickies at top of forum) a read for starts.

 

[optik45]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

It has a 2.3l OMC in it. I checked out some of the stickies but none offer much information for people that dont know where these drain plugs/hoses are on their engine/outdrive. Imagine a writeup telling you how to replace your fuelfilter on your car, and having no idea where that fuelfilter is and the writeup failing to show any location of said fuel filter. ......Doesnt offer much help if you get my drift

I checked out the original four winns owners manual, all it says in there is to contact your service department for winterization.

 

[optik45]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

Are there any good sites out there that have pictures of step by steps for any i/o engine out there? If I could get the general location and appearance of what I should be looking for I could probably find them on my OMC.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

What you need is an OEM service manual for your engine and drive.
Since OMC went out of buisness over 10 years ago, ebay will be about your best bet for manuals. Even at that, they will not give a novice that knows nothing about engines, the information to repair anything. They give information for trained marine techs.

 

[optik45]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

Sounds good, ill see if I can find one on ebay. Since it was winterized for Michigan would it be safe to say that all drain plugs (besides hull) are closed and it should just be a matter of just throwing a set of muffs on it and letting it run for about 10 minutes?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Need more detailed help - Dewinterization

If you plan on doing this yourself in the future, perhaps it would be a good idea to print out the "sticky" on how to do this, then find a friend who is somewhat knowledgeable with boats and engines. Have them go through the procedure while you watch. Then you will know where things are.